26 August 2015

 S4C Chief Executive, Ian Jones and S4C Authority Chairman Huw Jones have paid tribute to the late Geraint Stanley Jones following his death last night.

Geraint Stanley Jones was S4C Chief Executive between 1989 and 1994. During his time at S4C he was responsible for developing a number of ambitious projects including the series Gemau Heb Ffiniau – Jeux Sans Frontieres and establishing the long-running daily magazine programme Heno. He was also responsible for the Côr y Byd event in 1993 and it was during his time as Chief Executive that the Oscar nominated film Hedd Wyn was produced.

S4C Authority Chairman Huw Jones was Geraint Stanley Jones' successor in the role of S4C Chief Executive following his retirement in 1994.

Huw Jones says: "Geraint Stan, as everyone knew him, was one of the leading figures of Welsh television. From his pioneering role as Controller of BBC Wales throughout the period of S4C's establishment to his work in senior management at the BBC in London at the end of the 1980s, and then S4C Chief Executive, he made his mark with everything he did. He had a far-reaching international vision for Wales' role, her culture and broadcasting, in the world. At S4C he pioneered in establishing the series Heno which reached out to new audiences and with animated productions of international standards. Under his guidance also came the film Hedd Wyn which brought much praise and an Oscar nomination for S4C.

"He was a prominent and highly respected member of the EBU (European Broadcasting Union) and worked hard to ensure that public broadcasting freedom, standards and principles in the west provided a template for the eastern broadcasting networks following the fall of the Berlin Wall.

"He was wise and supportive of his staff. He challenged and encouraged, and was always ready to share advice and was shrewd in his attitude towards politicians and critics. He will be greatly missed."

Ian Jones, S4C Chief Executive, worked with Geraint Stanley Jones in S4C at the start of the 1990s, and remembers him as a man who was brimming with ideas.

Ian Jones, S4C Chief Executive said: "It was an honour to work with Geraint Stanley Jones, during an exciting period for the channel in the early 1990s, with series such as Jeux Sans Frontieres and the Côr y Byd event. He certainly inspired me at the start of my role here as S4C Chief Executive, and I recall him telling me that he was an ideas person, and his advice to me was that I should have too many ideas. Those words have stayed with me, and I'm grateful for his guidance."

The programme Heno on S4C tonight at 7.00 will include tributes by friends and colleagues who were close to Geraint Stanley Jones. Also, Newyddion 9 at 9.00 tonight will pay tribute to the former S4C Chief Executive and Controller of BBC Wales.

Ends